Practice question

Conidia represent asexual mitospores formed externally at tips or sides of specialized hyphae called conidiophores without being enclosed in protective sac or sporangium. Conidiogenesis occurs via blastic or thallic modes producing chains or solitary spores dispersed by wind over long distances. Zoospores motile in water, sporangiospores endogenous inside sporangium, zygospores sexual resting spores requiring mating. Conidia abundant in Penicillium, Aspergillus enabling rapid clonal colonization of dry habitats. No meiosis involved, genotypes identical to parent, contrasting with meiotic ascospores and basidiospores. External formation optimizes airborne dispersal.